by Samuel Nichols, Contributing Writer
There’s a meme that’s been circulating the last couple of weeks with the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. It’s an image of the grim reaper floating down a hallway knocking on the doors of his victims. But instead of a skull, it has the face of Sonic. The first victim was the underrated Birds of Prey, followed by the memeable Morbius, and the next victim is Mufasa. What do those three “enemies” of the Sonic franchise have in common? They were risky decisions. But then again, so was the first Sonic movie, but now it’s nothing but reliable family fun.
Our titular hedgehog (once again played by goofball Ben Schwartz) has found more of a family than he ever had before. With Knuckles (Idris Elba) and Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey), Sonic has people just like him. But there’s another like him who isn’t looking to make friends: Shadow (Keanu Reeves). This scary hedgehog wants to inflict vengeance upon a world that forgot about him. He’s even more dangerous than any of our beloved speedster’s previous foes. So naturally, Sonic has to team up with said old foe in Doctor Eggman (Jim Carrey). Will it be enough to take down this new speed demon? Is there more family to be discovered? That’s why you buy the ticket, folks. Because I won’t be telling you.
It’s easy to fall in love with the cast here. Schwartz is so in his element as Sonic. He’s witty, funny, and won’t shut up. The exact kind of actor you’d want to play Sonic. He’s been doing this for three movies, so it’s a cakewalk for him. I have not seen O’Shaughnessey in a lot of things, but after playing the character for years across mediums, she has a great voice for Tails. Carrey is still around doing the same Grinch/Ace Ventura impression he’s been doing for decades. It’s still good though so why change anything, Jim?
Honestly that is one of the best things this movie has going for it. The zany and comedic styles of this cast would keep around younger viewers and their parents alike. The jokes are simple enough that they won’t go over a kid’s head. But at the same time, they aren’t so dumb to have the paying members of the audience rolling their eyes and sighing. If everyone can watch and enjoy a comedy like this that’s a victory.
Elba absolutely steals the show as Knuckles. He was great in the second movie as an antagonist, but he is even better as a teammate of Sonic. He still gets in the subtle jabs at the titular vermin, and has plenty of goofball heroic moments where his brawn works well, as opposed to the speed and genius of his teammates. Elba is acting like the rent is due, and he earned that money. He has the best joke of the movie, too, when he goes to a Pikachu imitation as Knuckles. He’s actually so good it makes me consider watching that Paramount+ show.
Unfortunately, the newcomer to the franchise feels a bit miscast. God bless Keanu Reeves, but his acting style does not match the zany nature of the rest of the cast. He’s certainly giving his best effort, so you can’t fault this saint for lack of trying. But that crazy sense of humor the rest of the cast has is not something Keanu does. I suppose the self-seriousness he brings works for Shadow, and maybe that’s the point. But I found it to be too much of a clash.
A Sonic movie wouldn’t be complete without seeing these hedgehogs dash about at great speed. You would think it would be difficult to keep up with them, but thanks to the cinematographers and VFX designers, we can see exactly what’s going on as these guys are duking it out. And as the scale of the battles grow, and powers are utilized to the full extent, we are still able keep up, and it looks great. It says something about the state of franchise movies when the third Sonic flick has better action than a new marvel movie, but here we are.
Sonic is an exception to the rule of video game movies. “What rule is that?” you say. Video game movies suck. There’s often far too much material to be adapted, and the narrative can get lost. But when your games are based around the phrase, “Gotta go fast!” you have just enough of a concept to go off of. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is fun and mighty. If a whole family can enjoy a movie about a blue speedy cartoon character quipping with pals and running around, that’s a success.
Video game movies suck. This franchise is the exception. They aren’t trying for too much. Rodents go fast. Done.
Rating: Liked It
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is currently playing in theaters
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